Spring isn’t here and it’s time to plan for summer

March 20, 2013

Today begins our signup for summer school.

It was a reminder in how early summer planning starts and that I’m already feeling behind. In the past, I’ve been really on top of our plans for the summer — what I want the kids to take in terms of camps, lessons and other activities. But that’s not the case this year, and I’m not sure why.

I don’t know if it’s just that I haven’t had the time to devote to figuring it all out by mapping out each week of the summer or if I’m really taking a more relaxed approach to the summer for the first time and won’t sweat it out so much in advance. I know I don’t want to overbook the kids like I did a few summers ago when they were going from basketball league to tennis lessons to summer school, etc.

The kids have a couple of camps they want to do, but they all couldn’t agree on summer school, which is different from when I was a kid. Kids now go because they want to for the fun offerings, not because they are behind in their studies. They definitely don’t want to take swimming lessons (though that’s not up to them), and they are wishy-washy about golf lessons.

I got my head together in time to make a decision about summer school and I’ve decided I’m going to take each camp brochure or email as they come.

I understand that the kids just want to be kids and enjoy the summer, with some planned activities thrown in for good measure and to keep them active. They’ll have their organized soccer and baseball at night any way.

But we need to make sure there is time for seeing friends, playing outside, swimming and running around.